CHAPEL HILL, N.C. --- The Norfolk State women's basketball team couldn't overcome a dominant offensive performance from No. 19 North Carolina, falling at Carmichael Arena Saturday afternoon 90-47.
 
Graduate guard Diamond Johnson led NSU in scoring with 19 points. She also grabbed eight rebounds. Sophomore guard Anjanae Richardson also scored in double figures with 11 points.
 
UNC opened the contest controlling the momentum with a 15-4 run through the first four minutes of the game. A pair of Johnson free throws stopped the Tar Heel run with 5:14 remaining in the first quarter. UNC continued its dominance on the offensive side of the ball with an 11-2 run, extending the lead to 18 points.
 
Richardson got the Spartans going in the second quarter, with a drive down the left side of the paint, leading to a layup. Forward Da'naijah Williams made back-to-back baskets for the Spartans to gain momentum midway through the second quarter.
 
The Tar Heels continued their offensive attack, extending the lead to 29 with 2:01 left in the half before Richardson drained a 3-pointer for NSU. North Carolina answered back with a 3-pointer of its own right before the end of the half.
 
North Carolina continued its offensive attack, opening the second half with a 13-0 run. Richardson stopped the UNC run with a second-chance jumper with 4:04 left in the third. Spartan forward Ciara Bailey picked off Tar Heel forward Ciera Toomey, leading to a Johnson 3-pointer on the fastbreak late in the third quarter.
 
Johnson drained back-to-back jumpers to open the fourth quarter giving NSU momentum. Junior guard Stephanie Mosley continued the Spartans' run with five straight points, including making a layup, getting fouled, and sinking the free throw.  
 
NSU ended the contest on a high note, going on a 9-0 run highlighted by a pair of baskets from Johnson, a layup from Richardson, and an Amari Smith 3-pointer.
 
 
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE

• Diamond Johnson led Norfolk State in scoring with 19 points
• Anjanae Richardson also scored in double figures with 11 points
• UNC outrebounded NSU 41-32
• The Spartans shot 60 percent in the fourth quarter (9-of-15)
• Diamond Johnson tied a season-high in rebounds with eight

NEWS & NOTES

• Saturday marked the first-ever meeting between the two schools
• Norfolk State dropped to 11-4 with the loss
• North Carolina improved to 12-2 with the win
• UNC now leads the all-time series 1-0
• Stephanie Mosley scored a career-high six points

UP NEXT

Norfolk State will next be in action on Sunday, Dec. 29 at Auburn. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. EST.
 
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